A Worthy Journey

March is here and Spring is near!

Did you also know today is Ash Wednesday? As Christian believers, this begins the period known as Lenten season. In summary, it is the period that we journey the walk with Christ as He journeyed to the Cross.

This is a great period of reflection, release, and restoration.

REFLECTION

When was the last time you meditated on God the Son, Jesus Christ? I am not referring to your habitual notations of Jesus. But I mean actually reflecting on the awesome sacrifice that He made for you. The journey that He took to Calvary and shed the blood for your sins that no one else was found worthy or willing.

Reflecting on all that Jesus endured so that you could be saved and free from bondage will cause you to place your focus on Him. It will help you not to be consumed with your everyday problems.

Isaiah 26:3 declares, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” (NIV).

Prepare your mind to be fixated on Jesus and allow peace to be still in your life.

RELEASE

Reflecting on all that Jesus has done for you will allow you to be able to release. You will be able to let go of those poisonous things that have been eating away at your joy and peace. You will be able to make sacrifices in order to become more intimate with God the Father. This will cause you to release a manifestation of good fruit.

The book of Galatians reveals that “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control’’ (5:22).

When these spiritual elements are not displayed, it means that rotten fruits are being manifested. What do you need to release during this season in order to be a better you in the eyes of the LORD?

RESTORATION

Life sometimes causes you to feel as though you have been robbed of everything. And what doesn’t appear lost can have you feeling nearly depleted. It can be the good fruit listed above or either your dreams or relationships that need restoring.

Joel prophesied this, “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar; and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you” (2:25, KJV).

You may be feeling as though you have been running on fumes, but in verse 26 he also declares, “And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.”

Are you ready to reflect, release and be restored?

Decide to start today by participating in an Ash Wednesday service. If you can not physically attend one, make your declarations before the LORD. Choose a time that you will commit to God more in prayer and read His word. God has so much waiting for you in this season. He has already taken the hardest journey for you. Will you show your appreciation through your own journey during this season?

Feel free to leave a comment. I would love to know who will be joining me and millions of other believers during this period.

Shulanda J. Hastings

Shulanda J. Hastings is a blogger, Christian counselor, and evangelist who serves as an ambassador to the faith-based community; helping them break mental health barriers. She is the Best-selling author of the Beauty of My Thorns novel series and mental health memoirs, Keeping My Faith While Saving My Mind.